Scotland ought to maintain a brand new referendum on independence from the UK by 2021 if Britain leaves the European Union, the Scottish chief Nicola Sturgeon mentioned Wednesday, whilst she acknowledged that she lacked the ability to make that occur on her personal.

Scots voted in opposition to independence about 54 p.c to 46 p.c in a 2014 referendum billed as a once-in-a-generation ballot.

In 2016, the UK as an entire voted to go away the European Union, however individuals in Scotland voted strongly to stay.

Ms. Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister and the chief of the pro-independence Scottish Nationwide Social gathering, has argued that Brexit adjustments the state of affairs as a result of Scotland shouldn’t be dragged out of the 28-member European Union in opposition to its will.

She informed the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh that if Britain leaves the European Union, “a selection between Brexit and a future for Scotland as an impartial European nation must be supplied within the lifetime of this Parliament” — earlier than the subsequent scheduled Scottish election, in Might 2021.

Ms. Sturgeon mentioned that the Scottish authorities would introduce laws setting the framework for a brand new referendum. Holding such a vote, nevertheless, would wish approval from the British authorities, which says the time just isn’t proper.

The British authorities’s secretary of state for Scotland, David Mundell, mentioned Ms. Sturgeon “continues to press for divisive constitutional change when it’s clear that most individuals in Scotland don’t need one other independence referendum.”

Ms. Sturgeon acknowledged the opposition from the Conservative authorities in London, however mentioned, “I consider that place will show to be unsustainable.”

“If we’re profitable in additional rising the assist and the demand for independence,” she added, “then no U.Ok. authorities will be capable of cease the need of the individuals.”

Brexit, which had been scheduled to happen final month, has been delayed as Prime Minister Theresa Might’s authorities has struggled to win Parliament’s backing for its European Union divorce settlement.

The bloc has given Britain till Oct. 31 to ratify an settlement or go away the European Union with out a deal, risking extreme harm to the British economic system.